NMU hockey: Wildcats land on wrong side of review, lose 4-1 at North Dakota

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Northern Michigan University hockey team found itself on the wrong side of a goal review, resulting in a momentum swing and 4-1 loss to the University of North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.

Wildcats junior defenseman Mitch Jones appeared to cut the UND lead down to 3-2 with 9:30 remaining in the third period with a blast through traffic 11 seconds into a power play, however, a review by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference officiating crew ruled an NMU player interfered with the goalie in the crease, negating the goal.

“I haven’t seen it, but the officials can see the overhead,” NMU head coach Walt Kyle said in an interview with Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald. “I’m sure it’s legit.”

Two minutes later and back to even strength, UND went ahead 4-1 with a its own goal by Paul LaDue through traffic from the point.

UND led 3-0 after the first two periods, getting a goal from Mark MacMillan 4:10 into the first period and two more on the power play in the second period from Luke Johnson at 9:57 and from Dillon Simpson at 16:23.

Sophomore forward Darren Nowick tallied the Wildcats’ lone goal that counted on the night 7:46 into the third period for his first score of the season, unassisted.